Directors' contempt for repressed workers

Salford Socialist Party members lobby the British HQ of Jasic Technologies, photo Salford Socialist Party (Click to enlarge)

Dane Yates, Salford Socialist Party

On 24 September members of Salford Socialist Party branch visited the headquarters of Wilkinson Star - the official UK distributor of Jasic products in the UK (the address is also the base of Jasic UK) - to demand the directors put pressure on their counterparts in Shenzhen, China to end the repression of their employees and to give rights to their staff to join independent trade unions (see 'China: Solidarity with victimised Jasic Technology workers').

However, the directors showed nothing but contempt for the plight of the workers.

Firstly, by refusing us access to their reception area. And when two directors finally agreed to speak with us it was only if it was conducted on the road at the front of their car park.

When we reached the perimeter fence we were handed the official statements of both Jasic and Wilkinson Star.

Both statements are a catalogue of lies, including accusations of interference by "foreign-funded illegal organisations" and "extremists" determined to incite the workers. It appears that silencing critics and media distortion extends all the way from Shenzhen to Salford!

When we questioned the validity of the statements we were told that they had nothing further to say. However, when we emphasised that they are working alongside a company whose employees have been arrested and tortured, the sales director of Wilkinson Star openly laughed!

It would appear that, to the directors at least, a lucrative distribution agreement between Wilkinson Star and Jasic Technology is worth more than the lives and freedoms of employees whose labour provides their profits.